Cagbalete Island: Wanderlust

Been intrigue for several months about the wanderlust of Mauban, Quezon no less than Cagbalete Island. Cagbalete is famous with its kilometer long powdery white sands and shorelines during low tides. Aside from the sands and crystal clear water, tourist can also try various activity such kayaking, snorkeling, island hopping and river crossing.

Day 2 | Credits to Arem Gelogo

Having said some must try activities of Cagbalete we’re off for an overnight stay in the Island.
ITINERARY: 
The three of us, Arem, Aizel and I decided to follow the recommended itineraries that we've seen in some blogs over the internet. Here’s our IT for 2 days and 1 night.

DAY 1 | SATURDAY
0100: Meet up at JAC LINER BUENDIA, bound to LUCENA GRAND TERMINAL
0200: ETD
04:30: ETA at LUCENA GRAND TERMINAL
0500: ETD take a mini bus off to Mauban
0600: ETA at MAUBAN, QUEZON port
0600: Ride a tricycle or walk off to the Public market
0615: Arrive at the local market
0630: Take your breakfast and/or buy supply that you’ll be needing in the Island
0830: Ride tricycle or walk to the Port Area
0845: Arrive at the port area and wait for boat
1000: Take boat off Cagbalete Island
1045: Arrive at the port area (Sabang, Cagbalete Island)
1100: Trek to the other side of the Island, young ones will ask to carry your belongings and be prepared for fee
1115-1130: Arrive at VILLA CLEOFAS
1130-1300: Prepare and Cook for lunch / Merienda / Setting up the Tent
1300-1800:Island Hopping / Swimming / Exploring Cagbalete
1800: Prepare for dinner
1900: Star gazing /quality time
2000: Lights Out

DAY 2 | SUNDAY
0530: Wake Up Call / Watching Sun Rise
0600-0700: Prepare and eat breakfast
0700-1000: Exploring the other side of the Island | River Crossing
1000: Wash up | Packup
1100: Trek back to the port area (Sabang, Cagbalete Island)
1130: ETA port area (Sabang, Cagbalete Island)
1200: ETD Catch a ferry to MAUBAN, QUEZON port
1245: ETA Mauban, Quezon and take trike to ordinary bus
1300: Ride bus back to LUCENA GRAND TERMINAL
1400: ETA LUCENA GRAND TERMINAL
1400: Take lunch

Tickets | Credits to Arem Gelogo

1500: Take bus trip going back to MANILA
1900: ETA at MANILA

THE ADVENTURE:

We've followed faithfully our IT for this specific trip. We've arrived at Mauban, Quezon around 6 o’clock in the morning and we immediately asked for the near Public Market to buy Pork, seasoning and other supply that we needed in the island.

Right after we've completed our buy-list we headed in the port area, we just walked for about 15 – 20 minutes, the sea can be seen from a far, a good sign that the place that we've been looking is near.

When we've reached the port area, we all decided to eat and look for a perfect spot while waiting for the boat to arrive. Be mindful with the schedule of the small ferry 10 am and 4 pm only or else you might end up renting a costly boat. Reminder

After 2 hours of waiting around 10 o’clock the boat conductor starts to welcome local passengers. We've paid 180 pesos back and forth plus environmental fee.

Majority of the passenger live in the island and along with us  are some backpackers. Cool

Just in time, we've reached the port area of Sabang, Cagbalete Island. We proceeded with the 30 minutes trek under the exhausting heat of the sun. We've asked the local there how to get to the other side of the island, they're instructed us to follow the road and trail along the way. Tired

at the tent | Credits to Arem Gelogo

When we arrived at the premises of Villa Cleofas our exhaustion paid off to glare and experience ourselves the grandness of Cagbalete.  Overnight stay plus entrance fee cost us 300 pesos each.

We waste no time, we set up our tent under the coconut tree near a wrecked boat. Cooked grill pork and just bought rice in Villa Cleofas.  Viola! Grandiose lunch for the three of us.

A fisherman offers us to explore Cagbalete through Island hopping. For 1200 pesos we’ll visit Baliscar Island, will roam around Cagbalete, visit a famous shoreline and bring us to the diving/snorkeling spot Settled

Sands | Credits to Arem Gelogo

Big waves welcome us together with Kuya Roldan and his Uncle (Tatay) we navigate the Pacific Ocean. After 30 minutes we've seen Baliscar Island and its century old light house. Amazing

Baliscar Island, Cagbalete | Credits to Arem Gelogo

After wandering the majestic island we headed right away in the best and famous tourist spot of Cagbalete, lets call it the “shoreline”.Drop jaw! Breathtaking shoreline indeed, perfect timing its low tide, we've seen the famous wavy form of sand that really stood out. Wow

  Group Pictures | Credits to Arem Gelogo

We took pictures and stayed there for couple of minutes.

Geejay

Eteng

Solo sexy back photos | Credits to Arem Gelogo

Next activity snorkeling, we rented snorkeling gears in Villa Cleofas for 100 pesos each. If only we had an under water camera, we could share the world underneath our boat. Beautiful corals, school of fish and starfish!

Snorkeling Time | Credits to Arem Gelogo

The sun will hide soon so we continue our tour by the boat roaming around the whole Cagbalete Island. Relaxing.

Good Morning Cagbalete | 2nd Day | Credits to Arem Gelogo

Just in time before sun set we’ve reached our campsite and bid farewell to Kuya Roldan and Tatay.

We ate our leftover food, change clothes and had some chitchat and we called it a day. Tiring

SECOND DAY:

We woke up early in the morning to watch the sun rise and after that we prepared for our breakfast.

To maximize the remaining time we had. We gathered and packed up our belongings and proceed with our next agenda, river crossing.

We walked in the left most side from Villa Cleofas and seen a river connected to the sea. Superb

Just wondering why it’s always low tide in the island. We've taken solo and group pictures before going back to our tent.

Credits to Arem Gelogo | Wacky Pose

Ahead of time we’ve asked favor to Kuya Roldan if we can take a bath in their home (in the other side of the Island) he said Yes.  Around 11 o’clock we've reached the house of Kuya Roldan and by turns we clean ourselves and we’re ready to go home.

We ride the ferry and about an hour we've arrived at Mauban Port area.

NOTE: there are two way going back in Manila. First you can ride an ordinary bus off to LUCENA GRAND CENTAL and ride an airconditioned bus bound to Manila. Second option, ride van off to SM LUCENA and from there take bus off to Manila.

TIP: Before going to Cagbalete buy or complete all the things you needed, supply in the islands are very limited and expensive

AUTHOR’S NOTE: One of my most memorable adventure with my friends experiencing an extravagant beauty of Mauban, Quezon. See yourself the wonders that you might discover in Cagbalete Island. Thanks for reading and hope you do enjoy traveling with me

BREAKDOWN OF EXPENSES:

Transportation

P218.00	Aircon Bus from Cubao to Lucena Grand Terminal
P50.00	Non-Aircon Bus from Lucena Grand Terminal to Mauban, Quezon
P9.00	Tricycle from Mauban Market to Pantalan
P180.00	Boat from Mauban to Sabang Port, Cagbalete Island vice versa
P50.00	Non-Aircon Bus from Mauban to Lucena Grand Terminal
P218.00	Aircon Bus from Lucena to Cubao
P625.00	TOTAL TRANPORTATION

Lodging

P300.00	Open Cottage at Villa Cleofas (P1,000/night)
P300.00	TOTAL LODGING

Food & Drinks

P50.00	1st Day Breakfast at Lucena Grand Terminal
P50.00	1st Day Lunch at Cagbalete Island
P50.00	1st Day Dinner at Cagbalete Island
P50.00	2nd Day Breakfast at Cagbalete Island
P50.00	2nd Day Early Lunch at Cagbalete Island
P25.00	Kitchen Facilities
P275.00	TOTAL FOOD

Budget Summary

P635.00	Transportation
P300.00	Lodging
P275.00	Food
P400.00	Boat / per person
P1,600.00	TOTAL BUDGET